Thank you very much, Mr President. Given that we have the presidency
of the Committee of Ministers and that a translation from the Romanian
language into the English and French languages is available, please
allow me to use the Romanian language in my main speech. I will use
the English language when I answer questions.

(The speaker continued in Romanian)
(Interpretation) He said that it was a particular pleasure
for him to address the Assembly and he thanked Mr van der Linden
for the invitation. He had the honour of attending the summit of
the Council of Europe in Warsaw in May 2005. He paid tribute to
the Council of Europe in its service to democracy, human rights
and the rule of law. It was the first completely open organisation
to take into account the respect for human rights, freedom and democracy.
It had played a major part in the unification of Europe. He referred
to the words by Mr van der Linden: “We will not find any better,
or more cost-effective, instrument to strengthen the unity of Europe
based on common values, than the Council of Europe.”

In 1993, the Council of Europe had been the first organisation
to recognise post-revolution Romania. In the last twelve years,
the Assembly had witnessed the progress of democracy in Romania.
As a result, Romania had a profound sense of attachment and duty
to the Council of Europe. Both Romania and the Council of Europe had
developed together and shared the European values of equal opportunities,
democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Those values were the
foundations of Romanian politics. He felt a moral duty, as President,
to future generations to continue the long history of co-operation
with the Council of Europe.

Since Romania had become a member, the government, parliament,
local authorities and civil society had acted with a democratic
logic to integrate the standards of the Council of Europe. They
had created democratic reflexes which functioned within Romanian
society. Romania had ratified 85 Council of Europe conventions and
signed 21 others. That consolidation of the standards and principles
of the Council of Europe had helped in the process of accession
to the European Union.

The Romanian model for recognising its minorities was recognised
by others as very democratic. There were now 19 national minorities
represented in the Romanian Parliament, including a Magyar representative. Romania’s
neighbours Serbia, Ukraine and Hungary had not yet managed to achieve
a similar recognition of their minorities. He thanked the Council
of Europe for its support on the issue of schools in Transnistria
where Romanian teachers and pupils were still subjected to discrimination.
The issue still needed greater attention from the Council of Europe.
Romanian orphanages had been the subject of great concern to various
European bodies. With the assistance of the Council of Europe and
other parties, the Romanian Government had now taken full responsibility
for the status of children in the orphanages. The children in the
orphanages were now given a chance to develop within family units.
The reform of local government and the judiciary was under way, as
was the integration of the Roma people. Those were all lines of
action that had taken place as a result of the co-operation of the
Council of Europe, as part of Romania’s ambition to achieve accession
to the European Union.

Progress in Moldova, in the adoption of democratic stability
and regional security, was a priority for Romania. However, the
conflict in Transnistria was an obstacle to achieving progress.
Transnistria held enclaves of crime and was home to oligarchs who
made their own rules. He noted the ruling of the International Court
of Human Rights that the Romanian prisoners Ilie Ilascu, Andrei
Ivantoc and Tudor Petrov-Popa had been detained arbitrarily and
said that they must be released in the near future. There was a
great readiness to transform the Black Sea area under the principles
of partnership and democracy and he was keen to help Moldova achieve that.
The basis of the democratic acquis should
be a road map for Moldova similar to that created by the European
Parliament for the west Balkan region.

The Council of Europe was indeed a school for democracy. The
democratic acquis of the Council
of Europe should be amended to include the Euro-Atlantic community.
The problems of ethnic intolerance and exclusion had marked the
recent conflicts in the Caucasus and the Balkans. The Council of
Europe had once again confirmed its unique status by assisting countries
in that region. Romania would hold the chairmanship of the Committee
of Ministers and would aim for the implementation of the decisions
of the Warsaw Summit. Romania counted on the support not only of
all member states, but of their parliaments, governments and citizens

A security area should be created around the Black Sea to
create a region of co-operation with the support of the Council
of Europe, to help the democratisation of the area. Further reforms
were needed at the domestic level, but there were serious challenges
from the persistent conflicts in an area where international standards of
law did not apply. Romania was supportive of the Congress of Local
and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe’s project to create
a European region of the Black Sea. During its chairmanship of the
Committee of Ministers, Romania would host the launch of the project,
in March. Romania had invited governments, both local and regional,
officials, civil society and regional and international organisations
to the launch. There should be a political declaration expressing
a permanent commitment to the consolidation and promotion of democracy
and good governance.

Progress in the western Balkans was all part and parcel of
the Euro-Atlantic integration project. Romania would work towards
a dynamic and active policy in that field. Sustainable stability
had to be based on tolerant societies. Romania’s experience would
be added value for European organisations during the decision-making process
on the union of Serbia and Montenegro and the future of Kosovo.
Reforms had to be strengthened and the rule of law and freedom of
the media established. Romania recognised the role of the Council
of Europe in aiming to establish democracy in Kosovo.

Romania intended to include its neighbouring countries in
its proposals for the future. Romania’s European perspective had
been a catalyst for reform to ensure that Romania could join the
European family. He pleaded with all organisations to create a European
perspective for the Black Sea area, to create a region united by democratic
principles. There was a difference in terms of geographical coverage
and function between the institutions of Romania and those of the
European Union, but they were pursuing the same objectives. Romania’s
accession to the European Union would mark the end of its transition
towards democracy and the conclusion of a grand historical project.
That had been made possible by the Council of Europe.

Romania had striven to accede to the European Union. It had
followed the calendar drawn up for that process. Romania was now
closer than ever to its objectives, not just because it had met
the deadlines, but because it had shown a genuine commitment to
the process. Romania had launched an unprecedented fight against corruption.
The police, justice system and home affairs department had made
great strides under efficient and competent leaders. The reform
process had sped up because Romania had no inhibitions and was open
to new ideas. Accession would be achieved by bringing together a
number of historical, political and legal institutions.

He concluded by delivering a personal message of thanks to
the members of the Parliamentary Assembly for their help. Many had
been of great assistance with the ratification of Romania’s accession
treaty. He appealed to politicians from countries where the treaty
had not yet been ratified for their support. The Council of Europe had
been a longstanding partner of Romania and had greatly supported
its transition to democracy. He was counting on this solidarity
to reach future objectives. He hoped that he would soon address
the Assembly as the head of state of a member country of the European
Union. He thanked the members and President and invited questions.

Thank you
very much, Mr Basescu, for your most interesting address. A number
of members of the Assembly have expressed a wish to put questions
to you. I remind them that questions must be limited to thirty seconds
and that colleagues should ask questions and not make speeches.

I will allow supplementary questions only at the end and only
if time permits. We will have to interrupt the questions at about
1 p.m. The first question is by Mrs Becerril on behalf of the Group
of the European People’s Party.

Mrs BECERRIL (Spain) (interpretation)

said that she appreciated
the efforts made by Romania towards democratic reform. She asked
whether the President believed that the fight against corruption
in his country and the efforts to increase transparency were sufficient
to meet the requirements of the European Union.

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

Thank you for your question. Any politician will try to convince you
with words that things are going well in a country such as Romania,
but I will not argue with words. I ask you to check the joint report
of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and
the World Bank of October 2005. It analysed 26 countries, some of
them EU member states, others applicant countries. The report clearly
states that in 2005 the business environment in Romania was very
much improved and the level of corruption was very much diminished.

The figures in the EBRD/World Bank report show that Romania
has less corruption in business compared to some member states and
the document will convince you that corruption in Romania has diminished
because of the government’s actions. The report compares the situation
in Romania in 2002, when there was a high level of corruption in
the business environment, to that in 2005 when, as the report shows,
good progress was made by the Romanian authorities and the business
community.

In addition, I guarantee that as President of Romania, together
with the government and relevant politicians, we are really fighting
against corruption. Last year, when we succeeded in giving justice
an independent position as regards politicians and state structures,
our success in the fight against corruption became evident. I invite
you to visit Romania so that you can be much better informed.

Mr BENDER (Poland)

Your Excellency,
your country, Romania, intends to join the European Union. Yesterday
I asked this question of the Bulgarian Prime Minister so now I ask
you: is the so-called European Constitution dead, or can it be resurrected?

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

Romania is a supporter of a united Europe. We are confronted with
the effects of the globalisation process and no one country in Europe
will be able to face them if the European Union remains a simple
market. Romania will support the constitutional treaty as soon as
we become a member of the EU. As we have decided with the European
Commission, on 1 January 2007 Romania will push for ratification
of the constitutional treaty from our side.

We consider that a Europe without a constitutional treaty
is condemned to remain a simple market, and thus unable to defend
ourselves and to have a common foreign policy, and we will not be
prepared to defend our citizens against the effects of globalisation.
A united Europe with a constitutional treaty will be on the path
of the globalisation process. If we are not united by a constitutional
treaty we will be on the receiving end of the effects of that process.
For that reason, Romania very much supports the constitutional treaty.
Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT

I note that
Mr Severinsen, a member of the Assembly who was a member of the convention
and therefore part of the work on the constitution, is present.
I call Mrs Hurskainen.

Mrs HURSKAINEN (Finland)

Mr President,
what steps will Romania take to ensure that the Roma can live in
an environment free from racism and discrimination? What will the
state of Romania do to decrease the racial intolerance in the Romanian
media?

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

We have established a programme together with specialists from
the European Commission, with the assistance of the Council of Europe,
regarding the Roma minority. The programme started in 2001, and
its objectives will have to be reached in 2010. We still have five
years in which to implement the programme. We have special legislation
dedicated to integrating the Roma minority into Romanian society.
We allocate places to the Roma in all categories of school in Romania.
Those places are specially reserved for the Roma.

At the same time, we organise special training for the Roma
population through our employment agencies, so that the Roma can
become integrated into our economy. A lot of steps have been taken.
In addition, we have given considerable finances to the 2001-10
programme, which is dedicated to the Roma. I do not say that we are
now at the stage of settling this problem, but there is a committee
that checks discrimination against the Roma. Politicians, journalists
and citizens who blame Roma only because they are Roma are immediately
fined and their names are made public. We are convinced that we
have a set of rules that allows us to expect that the Roma will
experience no problems in Romania by 2010.

Mr KOSACHEV (Russian Federation)

Mr President,
my question deals with the forthcoming deployment of American military
personnel to bases in Romanian territory. How can that be combined
with the provisions of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in
Europe and the commitments of NATO member states on arms control,
particularly in respect of the commitment not to deploy substantial
combat forces in the territory of the new members of the alliance?

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

Thank you very much. The deployment of American military personnel
to facilities on Romanian territory is in full accordance with the
international legislation under which Romania, the Russian Federation
and the United States and European Union countries operate. In addition,
I can guarantee to you that the deployment of American forces on
Romanian territory is not against any country. We are looking first
of all to protect democracy and our safety. As President of Romania,
I am looking out for the security of my country. Perhaps this is
not the right moment to say this, but in February 2005, I personally spoke
to the head of the Russian Federation, and the answer was that we
respect all international obligations related to the deployment
of American military personnel to facilities in Romania on the Black
Sea coast.

I understand that you represent the Russian Federation, sir.
You stayed for thirty years in Romania, and we never asked you why
you stayed.

Mr NÉMETH (Hungary)

Mr President,
a Hungarian community of 1.5 million people, along with other minorities,
live in Romania, and those people are striving for all forms of
autonomy. The ruling coalition adopted a government programme to
reflect a commitment to adopt a law on national minorities and to
establish a legal framework for cultural autonomy. In an unexpected
surprise, a few weeks ago, the senate rejected the draft. What is
your position, Mr President, on granting cultural autonomy to minority
communities in Romania?

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

Thank you very much. I will not give you a lot of arguments about
the minorities in Romania, but I will give you a few examples. In
Romania, the minorities can use their language in the judicial system.
In Romania, the minorities can use their own language in the schools.
We have found 19 minorities in Romania, and all 19 are represented
in parliament. In Romania, we have three full government ministers
from those minorities. In Romania, in areas where 20% of people
come from the minorities, the local administration is obliged to
ensure that documents and local decisions are presented in Romanian
and in the minority language.

Romania has one of the most modern systems of laws to protect
minorities. However, we have a problem that involves a debate in
the political class regarding cultural autonomy. We have definitely
tried to find examples from among other EU member states that show
how that cultural autonomy can be granted in conditions where people
are free to use Hungarian, Ukrainian and all the minority languages,
even in the justice system, and the judge is obliged to provide
a person from a minority with a translator who can translate from
that minority language into the official Romanian language. We have
not found a model showing such laws in Europe. I kindly ask you
whether you have such a model. If you have one, I will consider
it and we will find a solution that is used in other European countries.
Thank you.

On a point of
order, Mr President. I am sorry to interrupt. My name is on the
list of speakers but you passed me over.

THE PRESIDENT

I am sorry,
Mr Mooney. You arrived late, but I will call you later. I call Mr Rochebloine.

Mr ROCHEBLOINE (France) (translation)

Mr President,
do you think Romania is really ready to join the European Union on
the scheduled date of 1 January 2007 and in what areas could co-operation
with European states sharing the values of democracy pave the way
for your membership? What do you expect of France in particular? Perhaps
you could answer in French, a widely used language in your country.

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

I am afraid that I will not answer in French. What does the French
language mean for Romania? Many Romanians know French. This year,
a francophone summit will be held in Bucharest, and it will be attended
by 63 francophone countries. French language and culture are part of
our culture. France has contributed to our culture, and Brancusi
created many monuments in Paris. Many Romanians pursue creative
activities in France. I hope that that answer satisfies you. I regret
that I am not a French speaker, because I was a captain in the merchant
navy and English is the language that can save you.

THE PRESIDENT

Thank you,
but I believe that French speakers will also be saved. I call Mr Mooney.

Mr MOONEY (Ireland)

I appreciate
your indulgence, Mr President. My question is about the media and
the concern expressed by media organisations and people with a belief
in, and commitment to, the fundamental democratic right of freedom
of expression, free of political interference, across Europe and
in Romania. Can the president provide assurances that he will act
on the recommendations by various bodies, including a parliamentary
committee of the Romanian Parliament, that political interference
at editorial level in the broadcast and other media will cease forthwith?
There is a possible threat to Romania’s entry into the EU in 2007
unless there is action on that basic and fundamental human right.

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

I can give an example from today’s Romanian newspapers, where
I am criticised on the front page. They are therefore free to do
whatever they want. To be serious, we consider freedom of the press
an essential part of democracy. There was a time when the media
were controlled by government publicity. I have the relevant dates.
When the present government came to power in December 2004 it did
not issue any publicity based on affinities with one or another
newspaper or television channel. It is our objective to keep the
media free and we will do so by approving freedom of expression
for all Romanians, including journalists. Since the new government
came to power it has not taken any action against journalists, who
are free to say whatever they want. We are free to give our own
explanation when they are not right. That is the simple philosophy
that we apply.

In addition, to extend the concept of freedom of expression
in Romania, may I invite you to see how free we are? Sometimes,
freedom of expression creates certain images but we are happy to
accept the cost of an excess of freedom, which is preferable to
trying to control freedom of expression in any area of Romanian society.

THE PRESIDENT

Thank you.
I shall call two more speakers, including Mr Preda.

Mr PREDA (Romania)

The President
of Romania already answered the question I was going to ask in his address.

Mr CUBREACOV (Moldova)

Mr President,
you have made an essential contribution to stronger relations between
Romania and the Republic of Moldova, two Council of Europe member
states which share the same history, culture and civilisation and
were separated in 1940 following the signature of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact
between Germany and the Soviet Union. How do you envisage the future
for relations between our two countries in the perspective of Romania’s
membership of the European Union next year, bearing in mind that the
border of the Union will once again separate our two brother countries?

Mr Băsescu, President of Romania

As you know, we have publicly declared that we support the integration
of the Republic of Moldova sooner or later in the European Union.
We regard that process as the only solution to reunify the Romanian
nation inside the EU. Like all Romanians I was very proud when Germany succeeded
in its reunification, and we have been offered a chance by the European
institutions to be together in the EU and reunify the Romanian nation.
That is Romanians’ warmest wish and we will not hesitate to support
the integration of the Republic of Moldova in any European institution.

As you can see from my intervention, a solution is to include
the Republic of Moldova in a road map such as the one used for countries
in the western Balkans. If we were to forget a small country such
as Moldova with 4 million citizens and with only a small land mass
on the EU-NATO border, the position would be more difficult for
Ukraine, which is a bigger country. We should not forget Moldova,
and we should give it the same prospects for integration as Ukraine.
The obligation on Romanian citizens and the Romanian nation to try
to reunify Romania inside the European Union is a historic one,
as no one asked us when the Ribbentrop–Molotov pact was signed.

THE PRESIDENT

We must
now conclude the questions to Mr Basescu. On behalf of the Assembly,
I thank him most warmly for his address and for the answers he has
given to questions. I know him as a frank, forward-going politician,
and he made that clear in his answers. We expect strong chairmanship
of Romania in the coming months and good co-operation with the Assembly.